Trump’s Board of Peace summit in Washington DC was billed as a landmark second for Gaza’s future. Over 40 nations gathered, pledges have been made, speeches have been delivered, and photographs have been taken. However what really unfolded contained in the room advised a really totally different story. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif stood up on command like a schoolboy, saluted Trump like a guard on responsibility, and was left along with his hand hanging within the air. Trump, the person who convened all the gathering, was caught on digicam dozing off mid-speech. And when the mud settled, Gaza was left with guarantees, not plans. That is what Trump’s “peace court docket” actually regarded like.
#DNAमित्रों #DNA #DNAWithRahulSinha #DonaldTrump #ShahbazSharif #GazaPeaceMeeting @RahulSinhaTV pic.twitter.com/jbINMCP69X — Zee Information (@ZeeNews) February 20, 2026
Shahbaz Sharif’s humiliation: A second the world will not neglect
The second that went viral nearly immediately: Trump requested Shahbaz Sharif to face up briefly and the 74-year-old Pakistani Prime Minister leapt to his ft in underneath half a second, bowing his head twice like a pupil answering a headmaster.
What adopted was much more telling. Trump by no means advised Shahbaz to sit down again down. So Pakistan’s PM hovered in an ungainly half-standing place, uncertain whether or not to sit down or stay upright, whereas Trump continued making what analysts referred to as false claims about brokering the India-Pakistan ceasefire. Shahbaz solely dared to sit down as soon as Trump had moved on to different subjects fully.
In one other video, Shahbaz was noticed in the back of the room throughout a gaggle interplay. The second he noticed Trump, he shot a stiff military-style salute — whereas each different chief within the room stood casually. Pakistani social media instantly started mocking the second.
Maybe essentially the most awkward clip of all: Shahbaz chasing a handshake that by no means got here. After maneuvering his manner near Trump for a photograph alternative, he prolonged his hand, however Trump turned away to talk with different leaders. Shahbaz held his hand out for a number of seconds, then snapped it again and walked away.
As Nelson Mandela as soon as stated: “Slavery chains not simply the physique, however hollows out confidence from inside.” Few photographs in latest diplomatic historical past have illustrated that quote extra clearly.
Trump falls asleep – Whereas Qatar speaks
In what has grow to be maybe essentially the most talked-about second of the summit, US President Donald Trump was caught on digicam closing his eyes and nodding off whereas Qatar’s Deputy Overseas Minister was addressing the room.
Trump’s supporters referred to as it “deep contemplation.” Critics referred to as it what it regarded like. Both manner, the visible of the convener sleeping by means of his personal peace summit unfold throughout social media inside hours. When applause broke out on the finish of Qatar’s handle, Trump awoke and joined within the clapping, apparently unaware of what had simply been stated.
What Board of Peace really delivered for Gaza
Past the theatre, here’s what the Washington summit really produced in concrete phrases:
- 40+ nations attended the Board of Peace assembly
- 27 nations are full members, together with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, and Kuwait
- Solely 9 of 27 member nations pledged monetary assist
- Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait: $1 billion every
- UAE: $1.2 billion
- Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Morocco, Bahrain, Uzbekistan: ~$3 billion mixed
- US pledge: $10 billion, introduced by Trump individually
- Whole pledged: roughly $17 billion
Specialists estimate Gaza’s full reconstruction will price between $50–80 billion. The cash pledged, if and when delivered, barely scratches the floor.
The summit additionally drew sharp criticism for excluding Palestinian representatives fully. Key Western nations which have constantly advocated for Palestinian rights, UK, France and Germany, didn’t be part of the Board. India attended solely as an observer, sending Deputy Chief of Mission Namgya C. Khampa moderately than any senior minister, a pointed distinction to Pakistan, whose Prime Minister personally flew in and was largely ignored by each different chief within the room.
The larger image: A peace board constructed for optics?
Trump threatened Iran from the identical stage designed for Gaza peace talks. He mocked Chinese language troopers in entrance of 40 world leaders whereas recounting a narrative about President Xi Jinping and the assembled leaders laughed on cue.
No concrete roadmap for Gaza reconstruction was agreed upon. No implementation timeline was set. No accountability mechanism was established. International locations flew in, delivered speeches praising Trump, took pictures, and flew house.
The Board of Peace, because it stands, delivered precisely what critics feared: declarations with out supply, pledges with out plans, and a peace summit the place the host fell asleep.